gettin dirty…

When I was a little my favorite things to do was sit in my mom’s bathroom while she got ready for work and try to do my makeup just like hers.  I’d pack on the magenta lipstick and electric blue liner…my mother was clearly a product of the 80′s.  But next to makeup my favorite thing to do was to get as dirty as possible.  So, in honor of getting a bit dirty and giving back to the community some of us from Beauty Central took a day off from Beauty and volunteered at the Hayes Valley Farm.

finding new homes for plants to grow

The farm is actually located in the middle of the city on what use to be the remnants of the freeway that was destroyed after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.  So in 2010 that land was finally used for good and the Hayes Valley Farm was birthed.  Our tasks on the farm included planting new vegetables, potting new seedlings, sifting and turning compost, and bringing in the Harvest which will be donated to Project Open Hand

Angelique has quite the green thumb

Tiffany looking stylish as always bringing in the Harvest

Working on the farm can seem like a breeze but I assure you there were some less then glamorous jobs that needed to get done. One of the many less glamorous jobs was flipping the compost piles. The compost material needs air to allow the bacteria to do their part and break stuff down and actually heat it up and purify it to some degree.

one hot pile of compost coming right up!

new plants not quite ready to be placed in the ground

Emily is a natural with the watering can

One plant that stood the most to me was the Magenta Spreen.  When you touch its leaves your fingers are dusted with sparkly magenta dust.

the same color as my moms favorite lipstick

until next time….

Yours in Beauty,

Shannon

D.I.Y. Benefit tree

Last week, we posted the below pic to Facebook to showcase our crafty coworkers in the Benefit Beauty Central lab. They made this awesome Benefit tree with old Benefit catalogs! Today, I took a craft lesson from Titin to show us how to make your own Benefit tree!

1. For the base of the tree, make a cone out of thick or card stock paper. Trace out a triangle and then cut it out. Roll it into a cone and tape it together. You’ll cover it in paper, so this part doesn’t need to be pretty.

cut out the cone shape

fold the cone & then tape it together.

2. After the cone is taped together, turn your attention to the catalogs. Opening it up to the center spread, begin cutting zig-zags from the bottom to the top of the page (make sure you don’t cut all the way down, you want one piece)

zig-a-zag (kind of like you're making a crown)

then cut the same shape on right side of catalog

cut, cut, cut.

3. Then cut down the center of the catalog page so you have two pieces.

cut down the center to create two pieces

pieces that will be your leaves

4. Next, carefully glue each piece onto the cone starting at the bottom. You’ll want a thin piece of glue along the straight side because the triangles will be sticking out. Vary the colors of the pieces & allow time for the glue to dry after a few rows.

next glue your pieces on the straight edge

paste alternating pieces onto the cone

5. Last step! Fold up the triangles so the points stick out like leaves! Presto glamo! You have a tree!

then fold up top triangles to make leaves

the finished result!

6. If you’re feeling extra craft glue on ornaments like this silver boi-ing! Just fill in empty product containers with glitter n’ glue!

silver bells! silver boi-ing!

Do any of you have Benefit-inspired craft ideas of your own! Share below!

you glow grandma!

Glamour Shot...say Benetint!

I spend much of my time giving quick tips and make-uppers to my gal pals who are 20 something and I have to say that it felt so great to glam-up Grandma this weekend! I taught her 4 easy steps to making her look bright-eyed and gorgeous! And boy did she thank me later!

Grandma looks radiant!

1. One of her biggest complaints is that her lashes appear thin and sparse as they have depleted over the years. A quick tip is to darken the lash line. I used BADgal liner waterproof lining the inside of her lash line and above to create the allusion of fuller lashes.

2. To open up her eyes, I used high brow in the inner corners of her eye and beneatheh her brow bone giving her an instant lift.

3. To take her complexion from dull to darling I used that gal brightening pink primer over her skin to give her a dewy radinat look. I applied benetint to her cheeks and lips to give her a healthy flush. A stain really works wonders on older skin as powders can tend to sink into lines on the face.

4. Brows are key and can instantly give the appearance of a lift to your entire eye area. I showed her how to darken brows in a natural way with instant brow pencil in light.

Doesn’t she look gorgeous? 80 going on fabulous!

get the look…holiday ready

It’s that time of year again! ‘Tis the season for holiday parties, family and friend gatherings, gift exchanges, cookie parties, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. It’s no wonder I have to have a Facebook album dedicated to December; this is no doubt the busiest month on my social calendar.

If you’re like me and always looking for festive makeup ideas for all those holiday affairs, be sure to take advantage of Benefit’s holiday sets this season. One set in particular I’m excited to share with you is project flawless, a Sephora exclusive. This set contains a full size bella bamba blush, full size ultra shines gloss in foxy lady, a 0.25 oz. girl meets pearl, and a 0.14 oz. a little bit BADgal lash mascara in black . All this for just $32! Not only is this set an amazing deal, but it’s also a great set to use for achieving a new go-to look for the holidays.

Here’s the beauty breakdown for the look I created using project flawless in addition to a few other favorites

Complexion:

• Start by applying your usual foundation and concealer. I’m wearing hello flawless! and boi-ing.
• For a bright pop of pink with a subtle holiday sparkle, apply bella bamba (included in set) to the apples of your cheeks.
• Since most of us haven’t seen much sun since Labor Day, bronzer is a good way to fake a day at the beach any time of year. Apply a little hoola on the chin, cheeks, and forehead to give you a natural looking tan. Just remember a little product goes a long way!
• To add even more radiance, use a foundation brush to apply girl meets pearl (included in set) to cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.

Eyes:

• Begin by lining the inner rims of your eyes using BADgal liner waterproof in black.
• Next, line your upper lash line using magic ink. Glide the liquid liner across the lash line, keeping as close to the lashes as possible. Add some playfulness to your look by creating a wing at the outer corner of the eye.
• Lastly, create big bold lashes by combining they’re real and a little bit Badgal (included in set). Start with they’re real to create lifted, separated lashes. Follow with Badgal lash to add extra volume and fullness. These two products combined are perfect for achieving the look of sexy fake lashes without actually having to mess with applying them.

Lips:

• Start by prepping lips with lip plump, a lip primer designed to smooth and fill in lines in order to achieve a fuller, sexier lip.
• Add a glossy finish by applying Benefit’s foxy lady ultra shines gloss, (included in set).

this is my party face

Bring on the champagne, I’m all set for some celebrating! Happy Holidays everyone!

what to gift…

Needless to say, a panic has set in right about…now. Christmas is days away. My enthusiasm for gift giving is at a standstill & yet there are a few last people to shop for. Oh, how they always end up as the hardest to shop for!

So here’s my last-minute/procastinators’ rejoice gift guide.

To my brother’s girlfriend. From Geekalicious…“For a gal who pretty much is the most stylish girl on the block, but pulls off an effortless cool, I am going to head to the Benefit counter and get her big beautiful eyes kit, chachatint mango lip & cheek stain, and they’re real mascara! This trio of universally-flattering shades has become my “go-to” whenever I travel or just leave the house and can’t stop talking about them. I pretty much am regifting my current obsessions. ”

on every gal's list

To the overworked sister. From Patty…

“I’ll be giving my sister the entire b.right! radiant skincare line & dallas.

Why? As a single mother of 3, my sister has zero time for herself and doesn’t think to take care of her skin. Not only will our skincare line help her look radiantly refreshed, but also the wonderful light scent of cucumber & lotus flower will make he feel like she’s getting a spa treatment every time she cleanses & moisturizes. And of course her favorite box o’ powder, dallas. She doesn’t wear much makeup but loves this bronzer because it gives her a natural fresh glow.”

To the classic & no-fuss best friend. From Jacqueline. …

“The perfect gift is benetint, the rose-tinted cheek and lip stain that lasts as long as you do this holiday season! It’s ideal for someone who will be too busy kissing, sipping and celebrating the new year without having to worry about reapplying makeup before the clock strikes twelve. For a natural, flushed glow, benetint is the way to go.

a few holiday gifts around the office.

To the well-deserving sister. From Jared…

“I gave my older sister watt’s up highlighter, sugarbomb blush, and it’s potent eye cream.  I told her I didn’t want people to think she was my MUCH older sister.  Just OLDER sister will do.

Oh, and my mom said not to come home this year without hervana.  I’m a good son, so I listened.  Apparently I like to keep Benefit in the family!”

To the oh-so-chic BFF. From Connie…

“I’m giving my friend Katherine “I’m glam…therefore I am” because it’s a great value kit that contains everything you need for going out: 4 eyeshadow shades, a pretty peachy blush, lip gloss, mascara, and an illuminator. I love how the kit is light enough to be thrown into your purse and the packaging is cute & girly too!”

yes, you are glam!

To the younger sister. From Megan…

“My 11-year old sister asked me for make up for the first time this holiday season!  I told her,’“Absolutely, but absolutely NO cover up or concealer. You have pristine skin.  Why mess with perfection?!’  I’ve bought her the small Benefit beauty makeup bag to open Christmas morning and inside I have written a pass for one-full sister day spent getting make-overs at the Berkeley Boutique, followed by a mani-pedi and sushi dinner.  I want her to feel pretty and empowered; not because she looks nothing like herself when she wears makeup but because she is simply playing up the gorgeous attributes that she was born with.”

Parting Words…And ladies & gents, if you missed the final deadlines to order online, can’t get to a Benefit counter, or are just really loving your time at home in those sweatpants (we know who you are)…just do the classic 11th hour gift & make a gift certificate with an outing to the Benefit boutique to get pampered! It’s important to leave the details rather vague while you figure things out!

the more homemade looking, the better.

Good luck shopping, Benebabes! What did you put on your wishlist this year? It’s never too late for a subtle hint!

get the look…sassy & smokin&#

As much as I love a red lip it just isn’t as practical for all the eating, drinking and smooching that is done over the next month. Let’s change the focus to the eye and pair it with a neutral lip. This look is a more modern take on the traditional smoky eye. The plum shade is more forgiving than the deep gray and black of a traditional smoky eye; plus it is surprisingly neutral no matter if you are wearing a gold sparkly number or a red hot mini!

Step #1

Once skin and eye area is well hydrated with total moisture facial cream and it’s potent! eye cream follow with your particular shade of play sticks. Apply a stripe to your forehead, cheeks and down the center of your nose, blending outward with your foundation brush. 

Step #2

Complete your canvas by applying stay dont stray. This 360 eye primer will lock on shadows and concealers all night long. If needed, follow with erase paste under eye or boi-ing to conceal any imperfections that dare try to ruin your photo ops!

Step #3

If you are oily like myself set your play sticks with a light dusting of get even to your t-zone.

Step #4

Grab your high beam and foundation brush. Apply the high beam to the back of your hand and dip your foundation brush, picking up only a small amount. Apply to the top of your cheek bone. Think of it as dividing your cheek into thirds, the high beam gets the top third!

Step #5

Swirl your blush brush into the hoola powder. Tap off any excess and apply all over face to warm up the complexion, concentrate the powder at your cheek bones (the bottom third), leaving the apple of your cheek blank for blush. Don’t be afraid to use this iconic benefit product all year round!

Step #6

Next, open up your “I’m glam…therefore I am” kit. Use the blush brush and swirl it into the glamming face powder. The color is a soft dusty pink, I probably built up the look with three applications and I still found it to be neutral yet feminine.

Step #7

No comes the main show! Use the 4 shadows in the “I’m glam…therefore I am” kit:

• Apply pink fancy eyeshadow from your lid to just under your brow bone. ( Don’t let the name intimidate you, I am not a pink eyeshadow kind of girl, this shade is a perfect base).
• Next, take the precious pewter (the deepest of the shades) and apply with your powder shadow brush. With the tip of the brush apply from the outer corner of your lid, to the lash line and up to where your brow bone meets the lid almost forming the letter “c”.  Think of it like creating a border for the rest of your eyeshaodow! Build the shade until you get your desired level of intensity.

the deeper shade creates the frame for the look!

• Next, take the icy lilac shade and fill in, from the frame you just created to almost the inner corner. You should start to notice that the contrast between the contour shade and the base shade has lessoned.
• Lastly, take the posh amethyst shade and apply right next to the precious pewter frame we created earlier down to the lid.
• If desired use the precious powder shade to line under the eyes.

Step #8

Fill in your lashes with BADgal liner waterproof. Make sure the pencil is well sharpened and apply. Use the smudger to blend out the line and really get into the lash line. I prefer to stop my line a bit before the inner corner.

Step #9

Go back to the “I’m glam…therefore I am” and grab your BADgal Lash. Apply to lashes.

Step #10

I highly suggest applying fales eyelashes. This is the time to really step up your look! I applied the debutante lash, I think this is a great basic lash that provides both length and volume.

The holiday season is a perfect time to experiment with false lashes!

Step #11

Finish by applying life on the a list gloss to lips. The focus is on the eye in this look so we want something simple that doesn’t try to compete. Who wants to be bothered with multiple trips to the bathroom to reapply or being worried you have lipstick on your teeth!

Step #12

Finish with a spritz of fragrance, try something new like my place or yours gina . Not only will the scent appear to linger longer than your everyday scent but this sassy fragrance will put a little extra pep in your 5″ heel step.

A new spin on holiday glam!

What Benefit products will you be incorporating into your holiday glam look?

honeymoon makeup!

After my wedding in August, I couldn’t jet off for my honeymoon due to work obligations.  Instead my husband and I took what we called a “mini-moon” where we spent a weekend at a nice hotel following one of my HSN shows.

Well, 4 months later and we’re finally ready to go on what we’re officially dubbing the “full-moon”.  We’re off to the Caribbean for a week of complete and utter laziness.  I. CAN’T. WAIT.

"full-moon" time!!

I have to wear a lot of make up for work  and I really want to bring the bare minimum. Thing is, I can’t really figure out what that is anymore.  I think I’m in makeup overload.

No makeup during the day (just SPF 50) but at night I’m thinking we’ll do one or two nice dinners and the rest casual beach eats.  With that said, what do I need to pull myself together but in a beachy, casual, but sexy kind of way?